Americans Expect Developing Nations to Take More Responsibility for Aid to Children

Yesterday, ChildFund released the results of a survey conducted for us by Ipsos Public Affairs. We were interested in what Americans might say when asked whether the recent payroll tax increase would impact their giving levels.

Because we are an international child development agency, we also wanted to know about Americans’ views on providing aid to developing nations. We found that most do not think that the responsibility lies with individual Americans or the U.S. government.

42 percent say that the governments of nations where children are being affected are most responsible for assisting their poor children.

23 percent say nonprofits or advocacy groups are responsible.

22 percent say individuals in nations where children are being affected are responsible.

7 percent say it’s individual Americans’ responsibility.

5 percent say the U.S. government should provide the aid.

One thing I’ve learned during my tenure with ChildFund is that it really does take a village, and sometimes another nation, to combat poverty. Developing nations around the world have made progress in breaking out of patterns of poverty, but the fact is they cannot do it alone and must continue to rely on other nations. ChildFund works to educate those in a position to help.

The Ipsos survey also asked Americans to estimate the amount of U.S. support to foreign countries, which is around 1 percent of the annual federal budget. Americans drastically overestimate the amount: 55 percent think more than 10 percent of the federal budget is allocated to foreign aid. On the other hand, 39 percent think 10 percent or less of the budget is devoted to foreign aid.

Because children living in poverty need help no matter where they are, ChildFund serves children both abroad and at home in the U.S., in some of the poorest counties in Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. Children need and deserve good nutrition, education and protection. When children flourish, the world becomes a better place for all of us.